Procedure for the manufacture of elastic textile fabrics

Abstract

A process for imparting permanent elastic properties to fabrics constructed of yarns principally formed of natural, inelastic fibers, the process comprising the steps of spinning a first yarn with Z-twist, spinning a second yarn with S-twist, forming a fabric from the first and second yarns by alternating first and second yarns during fabric formation so that the fabric contains alternate S-twist and Z-twist yarns, shrinking the fabric, and setting the twist in the yarns in the fabric.

I claim: 
     
       1. A process for imparting permanent elastic properties to fabrics constructed of yarns principally formed of natural, inelastic fibers, said process comprising the steps of: (a) spinning a first yarn with Z-twist;   (b) spinning a second yarn with S-twist;   (c) knitting a fabric from the first and second yarns by alternating first and second yarns during fabric formation so that the fabric contains alternate S-twist and Z-twist yarns, wherein said natural fiber comprises cotton and further wherein the spinning steps comprise placing at least five percent more twist in the S-twist yarns than in the Z-twist yarn; and   (d) shrinking and setting the twist in the fabric.   
     
     
       2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the knitting step comprises circular knitting. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the knitting step comprises warp knitting. 
     
     
       4. A process for imparting permanent elastic properties to fabrics constructed of natural, inelastic yarns, comprising the steps of: (a) knitting a fabric having a first yarn spun with a Z-twist and a second yarn spun with a S-twist by alternating the first and second yarns during fabric formation so that the fabric contains alternating S-twist and Z-twist yarns, wherein the S-twist yarn has at least 5 percent greater twist than the Z-twist yarn;   (b) processing the S-twist and the Z-twist yarns during fabric formation so that the distance between contact points of the S-twist and Z-twist yarns enable the yarns to adjust in the length-wise direction between said contact points; and   (c) shrinking and fixing the fabric.   
     
     
       5. A process according to claim 4, and including the additional step of bleaching the fabric. 
     
     
       6. A process according to claim 5, and including the additional step of dyeing the fabric. 
     
     
       7. A process according to claim 6, wherein the fabric includes one or more synthetic fibers. 
     
     
       8. A fabric formed according to the process of claims 4, 6 or 7. 
     
     
       9. A fabric formed according to the process of claim 5.